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Golaghat Amateur Theatre Society was established in the year 1895 to fulfil the vision of a group of philanthropists led by Late Joy Chandra Maitra and others to perform as a centre for and uplift dramatic and cultural activities in the state particularly in Golaghat area. The permanent theatre hall of the society popularly known as “Amateur Theatre Hall” located at the heart of district headquarter town of Golaghat is one of the oldest stature of its kind in the state of Assam. The history of Amateur Theatre Hall itself speaks about the glory it shouldered over its last 117 years of eventful existence. It has got proud privilege of nurturing & creating many great personalities/artists of the state in the fields of drama, cenema, music, art & culture etc. who have not only raised its name & fame high but also recognised it as their Alma-Mater.
The Society maintains a calendar of events throughout the year and executes the same through a support mechanism adopted by its Managing Committee. Besides, Amateur Theatre Hall has always been conceived as a multipurpose building to host or accommodate not only drama, concerts of music, art & culture etc. but also to hold seminars, conferences, public meetings, scientific conversations, exhibitions, award ceremonies, workshops etc. The Society is a registered society and receives no funding from central or local government to manage its affairs.
Between 1999 and 2003 a major refurbishment and remodelling of the Amateur Theatre Hall took place to adapt it to meet the needs of modern shows and audiences utilising the funds raised through generous donations received from dignitaries like Prime Minister Dr. Monmohan Singh (the then Rajya Sabha Member), Chief Minister Shri Tarun Gogoi (the then MP), PWD Minister & MLA Golaghat Smt. Ajanta Neog etc., Corporate Sector giants like ONGC, NRL, EIL etc. and a host of individuals comprising distinguished personalities to common men. The help & support in other form received with dedication from an endless list of persons starting from Dr. Robi Kota, IAS (earlier Deputy Commissioner, Golaghat). Besides, Shri Upen Saikia donated the annexed Hall in the first floor in memory of his son Late Simanta Kumar Saikia (Tikir), a promising film producer, who succumbed to premature demise on 29 July 1997.
Golaghat Amateur Theatre Society has been organising workshop & training for the new generation artists with necessary faculty support from qualified professionals, National School of Drama (NSD) etc. from time to time. Presentation of drama at Amateur Theatre Hall by both local and groups from different corners of the country has been encouraged from time to time to help the artists to learn through concept/skill exchange process. Moreover, the Society produces several drama of its own throughout the year as a routine exercise performed by its own member artists.
In order to bring about and contribute a sound dramatic environment in the state, the Society has been organising “All Assam One Act Drama Competition” in memory of distinguished dramatist Late Surendra Nath Saikia since 1981 in a big way, where almost all the leading groups from different parts of the state have been participating. This competition has been considered as one of the prestigious event in the state and got applause from different section of the cultural fraternity of the state. The Society has also been organising “State Drama Festival” in memory of Late Simanta Kumar Saikia (Tikir) jointly with “Simanta Kumar Saikia Smriti Rakshya Samittee”.
The Amateur Theatre Society has been a dedicated entity in the state of Assam ever since it was established 117 years back for up-keeping dramatic, music and cultural environment in the state and has created and contributed to the history of Assam immensely. The Society has a long way to go and achieve more to fulfil its dreams and ventures ahead…